Mind Over Mouth

A few months ago I began experiencing problems with my left jaw. I didn't think too much about it at first... An occasional "popping," which in time became a little more frequent, which then turned into an occasional "locking," which turned into a fairly frequent "lock and pop," and then the first signs of pain.

In late December the popping had stopped, but my jaw was hurting almost all the time and the "locking" had gotten worse. By the beginning of January I started to experience my jaw falling completely out of place and I was unable to bite down properly.

I talked with my dad (a dentist) and he strongly encouraged me to see our family dentist ASAP. I knew it was a TMJ disorder and our dentist verified it and referred me to a specialist in Indianapolis.

However... I had been "watching" myself recently and I discovered what I was doing to cause the problem: As I read, edited photos, watched TV, etc. I would push my jaw outward. I know... That's weird. But, I kept catching myself doing it over and over again. I'm not sure how long I had been doing this, but probably for some time.

So... I concentrated on my habit. I focused on my problem. And within a few days my pain was lessening. My bite was returning to normal. I could eat without the fear of being in excruciating pain afterwards.

My main thought over these past 10-days has been:

MIND OVER MOUTH

It's now been eight straight days with no pain and a perfect bite. But, I'm still very attentive to my habits. I'm alert to what could cause immediate pain and discomfort. And, I'm aware that if I let my guard down the habit will probably return immediately.

MIND OVER MOUTH

MIND OVER MOUTH

MIND OVER MOUTH

During these last 10-days I've also been looking beyond the mental and physical... I've been reminding myself of how similar the above is to my spiritual life. Whatever I set my mind on, everything else will follow... my mouth, my heart, my hands, my feet, my thoughts.

I'm reminded of a Twitter posting I made on December 31...

"Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth." {My 2011 mission statement for every thought, activity, relationship, conversation, planting, breath, mile driven, photo, glance, step, dollar spent... Break me Lord}

I've been saying this verse to myself every day during the month of January. A few times I've said it repeatedly over and over and over again in order to make sure my MIND is staying focused on GOD FIRST and NOT allowing old habits or thought patterns to return.

Heavenly mind over my mouth
Heavenly mind over my speech
Heavenly mind over my ears
Heavenly mind over my thoughts
Heavenly mind over my hands
Heavenly mind over my feet
Heavenly mind over my heart

I've finally come to learn recently that I'm in this life to please ONE... My Heavenly Father. And when I please my Heavenly Father I will in turn please my wife, my kids, my family, my friends, my clients, my acquaintances. But, to please my Heavenly Father, I must first have a heavenly mind.

Father, it's all about You. Help me keep my mind focused and sharp spiritually. Break me, heal me, refresh me, restore me.

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